James Franklin's Dismissal Marks a New Era for Penn State

Aerial view of Beaver Stadium filled with fans wearing white attire during a night football game for the Penn State Nittany Lions, with the field and stadium lights illuminated.

In the seasons leading up to this season of 2025, James Franklin’s Penn State Nittany Lions experienced an ever-so-slight decline after years of success. Following a high point in 2016 when Franklin led the team to an 11-2 record and a Big Ten Championship, the following seasons revealed growing inconsistencies. While the Nittany Lions continued to post winning records and played competitively within the Big Ten, they struggled to maintain dominance and often fell short against top-ranked opponents. The 2023 and 2024 seasons were marked by frustrating losses, leading to doubt about the program’s direction. Despite flashes of a great team, the team’s inability to take charge and make deep playoff runs increasingly tested the patience of fans and the university administration alike. Thus, setting the stage for the 2025 season, a campaign that would ultimately prove to be the breaking point for Franklin’s tenure at Penn State.

James Franklin’s tenure as head coach of the Penn State Nittany Lions, which began in 2014, concluded in October 2025 following a completely unexpected turn in the season. Despite a promising start to the season, the Nittany Lions’ performance quickly unraveled, leading to Franklin’s dismissal after a series of disappointing losses. Franklin posted a 104-45 record at Penn State.

The 2025 season commenced with high expectations for Penn State, especially after a strong finish in the previous year. However, the team’s performance soon began to decline. After a decent game but a loss to #6 Oregon, a significant upset occurred on the 4th of October, followed by another the following week. When the Nittany Lions suffered a 42-37 loss to UCLA, a team that had yet to secure a victory that season, it sent everyone who was tuned into this team into an uproar. This defeat was followed by another unexpected loss to Northwestern, 22-21, culminating in a three-game losing streak that left the team with a 3-3 record and an 0-3 record in Big Ten play. The outcomes of those two weeks were seen as unacceptable for a program with championship aspirations.

One of the most glaring issues during Franklin’s tenure was the team’s inability to secure victories against top-ranked opponents. His record against top-10 teams was notably poor, with a .160 winning percentage, which tied for the third-worst mark by a coach at a single school since the AP poll era began. More specifically, Franklin posted a 2-21 record against top-6 teams, the second-worst all-time, and a 1-15 record against top-5 teams. These statistics underscored a consistent pattern of underperformance in high-stakes games.

A marching band member in a formal uniform stands on a platform, directing a large crowd at a Penn State football game, with the university's stadium visible in the background.

The mounting pressure from both internal and external sources contributed to the decision to part ways with Franklin. Internally, the team’s morale appeared to wane, with reports indicating a loss of focus and mental fortitude. The frequent changes in coaching staff, including the hiring of former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles, suggested instability within the program. Externally, the fan base’s growing dissatisfaction was evident, with social media platforms like Reddit and X, as well as Instagram accounts, voicing a widespread call for a coaching change.

From a financial perspective, the university faced significant costs associated with Franklin’s departure. The buyout clause in his contract amounted to approximately $49 million, marking one of the largest in college football history. This substantial financial commitment highlighted the administration’s seriousness about the need for change. Additionally, the university was in the process of investing $700 million into renovating Beaver Stadium, aiming to position itself as a top destination for elite coaching candidates. The decision to part ways with Franklin was seen as a step toward aligning the football program with these ambitious infrastructural goals.

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Terry Smith was promoted to interim head coach, a move that reflects the program’s confidence in his leadership and ability to steer the team through a pivotal moment. Smith, who has served as the team’s cornerbacks coach for several years, is well-respected for his ability to develop talent. This promotion signals a commitment to continuity while the program evaluates its long-term direction. In the crucial game against Iowa, Penn State demonstrated resilience under Smith’s leadership but came up short in a hard-fought 25-24 loss, extending its losing streak to 4 games. With all this going on, the team is said to be actively searching for a permanent head coach, with several high-profile candidates reportedly in the mix. Brian Hartline (Ohio State’s OC), Joe Brady (Buffalo Bills OC), Kliff Kingsbury (Washington Commanders OC), or Alex Golesh (South Florida’s Head Coach) are all names that you can hear circulating the head coaching job at Penn State.

The decision to fire James Franklin was the culmination of a series of underwhelming performances, particularly in high-profile games, and growing internal and external pressures. While Franklin’s tenure included notable achievements, such as multiple bowl victories and a Big Ten championship, the consistent inability to compete at the highest levels ultimately led to his dismissal. As Penn State moves forward, the focus will shift to rebuilding the program and restoring its competitive edge in the college football landscape, as they are used to.